The Role of the Governing Body

At Mapledene, we are lucky to have a committed governing body who give generously of their time. The governors act as a "critical friend" to the school, ensuring high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by:

• setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction
• holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The headteacher manages the school from day to day and is the governing body’s principal professional adviser who assists it with the formulation and implementation of its aims, objectives, policies and plans.

Mapledene's Governing Body is made up of interested and committed volunteers who challenge and support the school in its work.  Governor meetings monitor: the curriculum; the quality of teaching and learning; standards; the school's budget and financial processes; the premises; health and safety systems, and also review school policies. Governors attend meetings with subject leaders and safeguarding and special educational leads so that they can both support and challenge the Headteacher and other school leaders in their work.  They are also responsible for the headteacher's performance management. Governors audit their skills annually and work together to share the broad range of expertise they have to build capacity across the team.